Philadelphia, Part 5

Hi all

I’m back after a short break. But before the Santa Clara Regional begins, I have to finish up some Philadelphia stories. Here we go:

South
AKQJ
K9
AKQJ
A84

Not too shabby! I love it when I pick up my cards and the stream of face cards just doesn’t end.

West
North
East
South
 
 
 
11
pass
12
pass
2NT3
pass
34
pass
3
pass
45
pass
… 7NT6
a.p.
 
 
 
  1. Beowulf: 15-17 balanced, or stronger any shape
  2. 6+ hcp any shape
  3. 18-19 bal, GF
  4. Transfer
  5. Splinter
  6. That should be about right

I took some artistic liberty with 2NT, as it technically shows 18-19 balanced, but all I wanted to do was to establish a game force. I could always raise to slam myself if Geoff had no more than a simple raise to game.

Geoff did surprise me a couple of times during the bidding. First his positive response made my day a bit brighter (27-counts usually make me grin like a monkey in pairing season). And then his self-splinter over 3. At that point I figured Geoff had to hold very good trumps for a slam try opposite 18-19, because I’m holding everything else. Anyway, with my significant extras I had no problem emptying my bidding box.

West Dealer
NS Vul
North
5
AQJT854
87
T53
West
T643
62
T42
KQJ2
East
9872
73
9653
976
South
AKQJ
K9
AKQJ
A84

16 tricks from top. And a fistful of IMPs when the other table closed out in small slam.

3 thoughts on “Philadelphia, Part 5”

    • Yes, you have an excellent memory Antony!

      In retrospect it can’t be kickback. Usually Ace-asking with just 1 key card is asking for trouble.

      Whatever I thought at the table, 4 was a slam try…

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